Every 3 seconds someone is getting affected by Alzheimer’s Disease in the world.

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that occurs mostly in the mid-60s, but can also occur in the early 30s. Alzheimer’s Disease or AD is a neuro-degenerative disorder which slowly affects one’s memory, thinking skills, and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest and most familiar everyday tasks. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia among older adults.

Alzheimer's is often confused with Dementia since Alzheimer’s Disease accounts for 60 to 80% of Dementia cases. However, the two conditions aren’t the same. Dementia is a broader term for neuro-disorders caused by diseases and other conditions. Dementia includes conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's Disease, traumatic brain injury, and other symptoms that can be termed Neuro-degenerative disorders.

Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging and like other diseases has symptoms that gradually worsen over a number of years. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s is still unknown but one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s is amyloid plaque formation.

Spotting early signs of Alzheimer’s can help oneself or one’s loved ones to slow down the progression of this life-altering disease. Some of the most common symptoms include the below –

• Memory loss is one of the most common and initial symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Difficulty in remembering newly learned information.

• Difficulty in solving problems.

• Misplacing items.

• Difficulty in completing familiar tasks.

• Confusion with time and locations.

• Withdrawal from social activities.

• Poor Judgement.

• The trouble with Images and Spaces.

• Difficulty in communicating and finding the right words. Alzheimer’s changes typically begin in the part of the brain that affects learning. As Alzheimer’s advances, it leads to more severe symptoms, including disorientation, mood, and behavior changes, deepening confusion about events, time, and place, unfounded suspicions about family, friends, and professional caregivers, more serious memory loss and behavior changes, and difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. However, there are some breakthrough researches in this field pointing toward a more positive outlook for the future. Alzheimer’s progression can be slowed down by making these few changes in lifestyle.

• Engaging in physical exercises.

• Challenging the brain and stimulating it with new learning and mental exercises.

• Eating a balanced and healthy diet – rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy.

• Limiting or avoiding intake of saturated fats, processed sugar, and junk food.

• Consuming neuro-generative herbs like Ashwagandha, Brahmi & Gotu Kola.

• Visiting doctor and undertaking regular health check-ups.

As per a study undertaken by the New Castle University, to identify the effectiveness of Ashwagandha in fighting against Alzheimer’s Disease – the researchers found some very promising results. The amyloid plaque formations which are considered to be the key reason for Alzheimer’s disease reduced in the test subject after administering Ashwagandha for 20 days, and the brain function returned to normal after 30 days. The study showed that ashwagandha boosts the production of protein in the liver, which clears the amyloid from the brain.

Alzheimer's is a life-altering disease not only for the sufferer but also for the entire family and caregivers. Alzheimer’s doesn’t need to be part of one’s old age. Start early to ensure a healthy and happy old age for oneself and for your loved ones.